Tumbbad sound designer Mandar Kamalapurkar inspires students at Annapurna Film school masterclass
HYDERABAD: Students at Annapurna College of Film and Media recently attended an in-depth masterclass on cinematic audio, led by National Award-winning Sound Recordist and Designer Mandar Kamalapurkar.
Best known for his work on the popular film Tumbbad, Kamalapurkar went beyond just talking about the details of sound and showed students how sound can be used in creative ways to tell a story.
Drawing from his extensive portfolio in Indian cinema, Kamalapurkar focused on the philosophy of sound design. Rather than merely discussing equipment or software, he illustrated how sound, from the faintest ambient texture to the strategic use of silence, can express the psychological state of a character and construct a film’s narrative.
By showing scenes from movies he worked on, the sound designer explained how choosing the right background sounds, effects, and noises can help guide what the audience feels and make a moment seem more real. The session showed that sound is not just something added to pictures but an important part of how a story is experienced.
The masterclass also featured insightful reflections from Kamalapurkar’s professional journey, bridging the gap between creative intent and technical execution. His anecdotes from the sets of major film projects gave students a clearer understanding of the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the discipline required to excel in professional sound practice.
Besides the technical lessons, the session encouraged students to think carefully about how they listen and see things. Kamalapurkar asked the future filmmakers to see sound as a main way to tell stories and to be more thoughtful and creative with how they use audio.
